Power Takes the Stage in Atlanta at ForWard Conference 2025

From packed sessions to powerful conversations, this year’s event proved ForWard is more than a conference — it’s changing the face of hospitality leadership.

ATLANTA, GA – May 8, 2025 – The power of women in the hotel and lodging industry was on full display as the AHLA Foundation’s flagship ForWard Conference made its Atlanta debut this week, bringing nearly 1000 hospitality professionals to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. With a theme centered on recognizing, accessing, and amplifying power, the two-day event delivered bold conversations, practical leadership tools, and high-impact programming — all designed to elevate women in hospitality. Featuring top industry executives and immersive experiences, ForWard 2025 marked a continued investment in building a more inclusive and dynamic future for the hotel and lodging industry.

While women represent the majority of the hospitality workforce, that majority isn’t reflected in leadership positions. The ForWard initiative, which extends well beyond this annual conference, continues to address this imbalance through targeted professional development and networking opportunities.

“Our industry thrives on connection,” said Kevin Carey, President & CEO of the AHLA Foundation. “By bringing ForWard to Atlanta, we placed this important dialogue in the heart of a major hospitality hub, allowing us to engage with a broader audience and drive meaningful change.”

“Forward has become a force in this industry, bringing women and men together to champion the next generation of leaders,” noted Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of AHLA. “There is power in this movement. I’m thrilled to see how our industry has embraced this conference and is meaningfully showing up for women in our industry.”

The conference featured executive speakers from across the industry, and select speakers from adjacent industries, including Jennifer Hyman, CEO & Co-Founder of Rent The Runway; Lamiaa Laurene Daif, Worldwide Strategy Leader at Apple; and Grammy-nominated songwriter Makeba Riddick. Notable sessions included:

• Negotiations Workshop with Kathryn Valentine, CEO of Worthmore Strategies, sharing tactics specifically designed for hospitality contract and vendor relationship management
• The Future of Guest Expectations panel featuring Heather Balsley, IHG Chief Commercial Officer; Mary Ellen Jelenek, American Express; and Monica Xuereb, Loews Hotels, moderated by Kristie Goshow, Chief Commercial Officer of Peregrine Hospitality
• Unlocking AI: The Power of the Right Prompts conducted by Steve Berrey, Global Head of AI & ML Solutions at Onix
• Hidden Careers in Hospitality panel exploring non-traditional leadership paths within the industry
• Hotels as Local Hubs discussion on strengthening community connections as a competitive advantage

The 2025 ForWard Conference was sponsored by American Express, DIRECTV Hospitality, Ecolab, Encore, and RTRX.

To learn more about AHLA Foundation’s ForWard initiative, visit www.ahlafoundation.org/forward. 

About The AHLA Foundation

The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry’s greatest asset – our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org.